AMADIS of GAUL.
Book the Third.
CHAPTER 1.
So soon as King Lisuarte knew that Angriote and his nephew were so far healed of their wounds that they could ride, he sent to bid them quit his kingdom, and not enter it again at their peril. Of this those Knights complained loudly to Don Grumedan and their other friends, especially Don Brian of Monjaste and Gavarte of the Perilous Valley, who said that since the King had so forgotten their past services, they would give him cause to remember the future. They then struck their tents and departed for the Firm Island. On the third day of their journey they found Gandeza in a chapel, the niece of Brocadan, she who had concealed her lover Sarquiles where he overheard all the treason, and who had now fled for fear. Great joy had they in finding her, and above all Sarquiles who loved her truly, and taking her with him he continued his way.
Grumedan and his friends after they had ridden out with the Knights of the Firm Island on their departure, returned to Lisuarte, and told him what had passed. He who was already much grieved for the victory of Angriote, not for any regret for the slain, whom he knew to be evil like their parents, but because it was a triumph to Amadis, became now more enraged. Forbearance, said he, is for the most part a profitable thing, but at times it is the cause of great mishap, and so hath it been with me. If I had withdrawn my favour from these Knights, they would not have dared say that which they have said, nor have approached my court, nor even entered my dominions. But they shall pay for their folly! I will send and defy them, and Amadis with them, and see whether their pride can save them. King Arban of North-Wales who truly desired the welfare of the King replied, Sir you should look well to this before you do as you have said, because of the great valour of these Knights and because God hath shown the justice of their cause, else would not Angriote, good Knight as he is, have so acquitted himself against two such enemies, nor Sarquiles have so come off from Adamas. The good cause which they maintained gave them the victory; therefore I should think it well that they returned
to your service, for poor profit is it for a King to war with his subjects when he can avoid it: the blood that is shed, and the wealth that is expended on both sides, is the King's loss, and he gains no honour in victory. From such strife great evils often arise: the neighbouring Kings and Chiefs who had been before kept in awe, take courage and recover more than they had lost; and what is more to be feared, the vassals cease to respect their Lord, who should rule them mildly, as a good shepherd controuls his flock; for if he oppresses them more than they can bear, it oftentimes chances, that where the first broke out the rest follow, and when the fault is at last discovered, it is difficult to amend it. Now Sir is the time to amend what has been done amiss. Amadis is so gentle and so kindly disposed to you, that you may lightly recover him and all who follow him. You say well, quoth Lisuarte, but I will not give them that which I have already given to my daughter Leonoreta, and great as his power may be, it is nothing to mine! so say no more, but prepare arms and horses to serve me, and let Cendil of Ganota go to-morrow and defy those of the Firm Island. In God's name! they all replied; he will appoint what seemeth good to him, and we will serve you.
You must know that Gandandel and Brocadan when they saw their sons slain, and that they were undone in this world and in the next, receiving that due reward which such as them escape in our days, (for God reserves them either in his mercy that they may repent, or for his justice, that if they continue in sin they may pay for all without redemption,) they took their dead sons, and with their wives and household embarked in two vessels with the curses of all who beheld them, and went their way, and this history will not mention them more; but we may reasonably believe that they who have grown old in wickedness will die in it, unless it pleases God, more for his mercy than their deserts, to turn their hearts in time.
King Lisuarte then having assembled together all the great Lords of his court, and the Knights of lower degree, complained to them of Amadis and his friends, and besought them to redress his wrongs, as he did theirs. They all replied that they would serve him in what he should command. He then called Cendil of Ganota, and bade him to horse and carry a letter of credence to the Firm Island, and defy Amadis for me, and all those Knights with him who will support the cause of Don Galvanes. Tell them to beware of me, for wherever I find